William Peace University
Raleigh, North Carolina · Private Nonprofit · 94.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 27/100 · Poor Value
William Peace University in Raleigh, North Carolina scores ROI 27 (Poor Value) -- a small private nonprofit with 666 undergraduates in the heart of Research Triangle Park. The school's fundamental problem is the gap between its costs and its outcomes: a $21,649 average net price against median 6-year earnings of $32,200 and a 19.5-year payback period. Fewer than half of enrolled students graduate (44.8%). Business Administration is the highest-earning program at 38 graduates per year; the remaining programs -- Biology, Design, Psychology, Political Science -- all post weak-to-poor debt ratios. Despite being in Raleigh -- one of the country's fastest-growing metropolitan areas -- William Peace graduates do not appear to be capturing the Research Triangle's technology and pharmaceutical salary premiums in their Scorecard earnings data. The repayment rate of 61.4% signals that a significant share of graduates are struggling with their loans.
The data raises concerns about William Peace University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score27/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period19.5 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
William Peace University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $34,176/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $34,176/yr |
| Average net price | $21,649/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $86,596 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,643 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $236 |
| Estimated payback period | 19.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 44.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 666 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at William Peace University is $34,176/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,649/year, or roughly $86,596 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,779/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,565/year.
The median graduate leaves with $22,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $236 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $46,643 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.69 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,779 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,233 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,429 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,046 |
| $110,001+ | $30,565 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $15,779 per year -- below the $21,649 average, reflecting genuine low-income aid. Over four years that is roughly $63,116. Against 6-year median earnings of $32,200 and a 44.8% completion rate, this is a high-risk investment for low-income families. The repayment rate of 61.4% indicates that many graduates -- across all income levels -- struggle with their loans.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30,001-48,000 bracket pays $18,233. The 48,001-75,000 bracket rises to $20,429, and the 75,001-110,000 bracket climbs to $23,046. The cost slope is moderate -- about $7,000 across the middle-income range. Middle-income families should compare William Peace's $18,000-$23,000 range directly against UNC system public schools offering lower net prices and better measured outcomes.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $30,565 per year. Over four years that is roughly $122,260. Against 10-year median earnings of $46,643 and a 19.5-year payback period, high-income families paying close to full freight at William Peace face a very long break-even horizon. The data does not support this cost level for most of the school's programs.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at William Peace University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $56,173 | C+ |
| Design and Applied Arts | $40,817 | D |
| Biology | $60,289 | D |
| Psychology | $44,997 | D |
| Political Science and Government | $57,305 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $50,090 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is William Peace's largest and most defensible program at 38 graduates per year. Median 1-year earnings of $47,278 and 4-year earnings of $56,173 reflect entry-level business roles in the Raleigh-Durham market. The 0.529 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade C+) with $25,000 median debt is functional -- the best the school offers. Raleigh's business sector includes large employers in technology, healthcare, and financial services; Peace graduates in business can access this market, but they compete with NC State, UNC, and Duke business school graduates in the same geography.
Political Science and Government
Political Science produces 12 graduates per year with median 1-year earnings of $41,509 and 4-year earnings of $57,305. The 0.626 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade C) with $26,000 median debt is middling for a Raleigh-area school. Political science at small liberal arts colleges often serves pre-law students, government aspirants, or nonprofit sector workers. The 4-year earnings of $57,305 suggest some graduates transition into higher-earning roles over time -- likely through graduate education or government sector advancement.
Biology
Biology produces 17 graduates per year. Median 1-year earnings of $39,710 and 4-year earnings of $60,289 reflect the pre-professional pathway most biology graduates take -- the 4-year jump suggests graduate or professional school completion for a portion of the cohort. The 0.718 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade D) with $28,500 median debt indicates the debt load is borderline. Biology at William Peace as a terminal degree without professional school following delivers modest financial returns against this cost structure.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 50.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 61.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 66.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 94.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 535-595 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 545-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-27 |
| Enrollment | 666 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 34.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,905 |
William Peace admits 94.3% of applicants -- near-open enrollment. SAT Math 535-595, Reading 545-630; ACT 22-27. Despite the small school setting in Raleigh, admission standards are not a differentiating factor. The 44.8% completion rate means self-selection and persistence matter more than admission qualifications in predicting outcomes here.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
William Peace (ROI 27) scores above Barton College (ROI 24, earn6yr $31,800, payback 18.2 yr) but both sit firmly in the Poor Value tier. Thomas College and Belmont Abbey College are in the peer set. Barton College (ROI 24) has essentially the same earnings profile as Peace but a faster payback -- the difference in ROI score is marginal. William Peace's Raleigh location is a genuine labor market asset that the current earnings data has not yet translated into outcomes -- whether that reflects program mix, completion rate challenges, or a cohort-year lag in Scorecard data is unclear from the available information.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Peace University (this school) | 27 | $21,649 | $46,643 |
| Thomas College | 28 | $18,885 | $44,991 |
| Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary | 25 | $4,543 | $17,360 |
| Barton College | 24 | $23,626 | $47,913 |
| Belmont Abbey College | 24 | $24,639 | $47,937 |
| Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies | 24 | $10,566 | $40,694 |
Who Thrives Here
William Peace fits a specific student: one who wants a small private liberal arts environment in Raleigh, has SAT 535-630 Math / 545-630 Reading or ACT 22-27, and is entering business administration or political science. With 34.3% Pell recipients, the school serves a substantial lower-income population at private-school costs. The 44.8% completion rate is the school's most critical risk for all students. Students who enter without a clear career direction or major face well-above-average odds of leaving with debt and no degree.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about William Peace University. With a net cost of $21,649 per year and median graduate earnings of only $46,643 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 19.5 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 44.8% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $22,250 against $46,643 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.